Trainer tip: Timing is everything!- From Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor Becky Diaz
Timing Is Everything
One of the big problems that I see with my clients, myself, and friends is that we are all under constant low levels of stress. Elevated levels of cortisol and adrenaline at the wrong times during the day can cause a range of health issues as well as stand in the way of your physical performance and goals. One method that has made the biggest difference in my stress reduction, as well as my clients, is timing workouts to align with your natural circadian rhythm.
Upon rising, your bodies adrenal glands produce cortisol which is responsible for waking you up in the morning. Those cortisol levels continue to rise and they should be at their highest around 10 or 11 AM then they gradually start to drop and eventually your body powers down to prepare for sleep. By working out late in the afternoon, you can disrupt the natural decline in cortisol which could lead to problems sleeping and hormone dysregulation. And it puts unnecessary, additional stress on your body.
By definition, working out is stressful, but the benefits definitely outweigh any negative so that's why we do it! So, by working out in the morning you can minimize the amount of stress that you put on your body, bust through plateaus, heal your hormones and get better sleep!